Controlling apparatus



Dec. 25, 1928;

c. w. WY MAN CONTROLLING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 26, 1928 476067 Uh wrlesll). Zllymam 3 aflariuggp Patented be... 25, 1928. 1,696,748

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

CHARLES W. WYMAN, OF OLAREMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR TO SULLIVAN MACHINERY GOMIANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

CONTROLLING APPARATUS.

Application filed November 26, 1926. Serial No. 150,850.

This invention relates to controlling apstantially on line 4 4 of Fig. 2 and illusparatus, and more particularly to electric trating the connector plug and the improved controlling apparatus for use in connection interlocking mechanism. with mining machines. Figs. 5 and 6 are detail views of a portion 5 An object of this invention is to provide of the improved controller and connector 60 animpro'ved controlling apparatus. Another plug interlock, Fig. 5 being a section taken object of this invention is to provide an imon line 55 of Fig. 4. proved electric controlling apparatus for a In this illustrative form of the invention coal mining machine of the so-called longthe improved controlling apparatus and inwall type. Still another object of this interlock mechanism are arranged within a 65 vention is to provide an improved interloclrmin ng machine generally designated 1,

ing mechanism disposed between the electric herein of the flexibly fed invertible type controlling mechanism and the conductor generally similar to that disclosed in a cocable connector plug. Still another object pending application to one lVIori-is P.

of this invention is to provide an improved Holmes, Ser. No. 136,466, filed Sep. 20, 1926, 70

controlling mechanism permitting operation and comprising a main frame 2 slidable on of the motor controlled thereby in opposite its bottom on the mine bottom. The main directions While preventing the reversal of frame 2 comprises a cutter carrying section the motor except after the parts of the con- 3, motor section 4., and a feed section 5,

trolling mechanism have been returned to a th t e earry ig C O l 3 a d e feed 7 predetermined position and a controller section 5 beingdisposed at opposite ends of member therefor has been manipulated in the motor section 4 and rigidly connected a d t i d mannelq Y t th 1 thereto in any suitable manner. A cutter j t f thi i ti i t provlde gm bar' provided with an endless cutter bit proved controlling mechanism provided with y ng Cutter Chain 7 running around it so i d means f ti movement f. margin is pivotally mountedcn the frame th t ll h dl t ff t Operation f section 3 on a vertical axis indicated at 8 th motor i a di ti t. d i d, Still and the cutter chain 7 is driven from the th bj t f thi i ti i t electric driving motor 9 which may be of id i d means f t lli an 1 either the AC or DC type housed within the B5 trio mining machine motor having an interframe ectlOnfi. Feeding movement or the l k ith th Current Supply connector l machine relative to the working tace is acwhereby the lattercannotbeinserted or withcomphsl'led y m f a feed operating drawn except when the controller is locked member hel'eln 111 the m of t Cha n in its inoperative position. Another object is PP EQ rotatable On 3 axis a Do to provide improved operating connections Whlch 1s adaptedfio E on fleXlble g! for the controller. These and other objects member heleln 1n the 01111 O a feed and advantages of the invention will, howhiwlng lts Outer free end fiXed 0 21 even h i ft re fully appear. stationary extraneous abutment, not shown,

40 In the accompanying drawings there i in advance of the machine in a well known shown for purposes of illustration one form 111311119?- the feeding mechamsm 13 adapted vhich the invention nay 335111 in practice to b6 controlled a suitable handle CO1}- I th d i vemently located at the forward end of the Fig. 1 is a plan view of a mining machine mflchllwof the longwall type within which my im- I11 the P constl'llctloll 1t will be we v d mechanism i b di d th hi observed that tne motor section 4 has formed being disposed in operative position adjacent er m 11 h mb r 01 compartment 13 in a Working face. which is housed a controlling apparatus 14,

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary end elevation as shown in Figs. 1 and 3 and including a View, partially in section, of the controlling usual controller drum horizontally disposed 105 end of the machine shown in Fig. 1. on an axis extending longitudinally of the Fig. 3 is a longitudinally extending machine and having a drum shaft 15. The vertical sectional view taken substantially or. controller is herein of the reversible rotary line 3-8 01? Fig. 1. drum type substantially similarto that de- Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view taken subscribed and claimed in my oopending applillU cation Ser. No. 517,621, filed Nov. 25, 1921, and this controller is adapted to control the various electric circuits to the driving motor 9. As the controller per so does not form part of my present invention it will not be described specifically herein. As illustrated, the shaft 15 of the controller drum has fixed thereto as by a screw 16 an enlarged hub 17 and this hub is provided will a squared opening 18 adapted to slidably receive the squared end 19 of a horizontal shaft 2O alined with the drum shaft 15 and journaled in a bearing 21 formed within the frame section- 41-. As clearly shown in Fig. 3 the forward end of the shaft has formed integral therewith a socket portion 22 having a squared opening 23 which. loosely receives the squared end 2-1 of an a ngi'ilarly disposed control bar 25. The forward end of the control bar 25 is squared as at 26 and is loosely received in a squared opening 27 formed within a socket portion .28 carried by the rear end. of a control shaft 29 arranged parallel with the shaft 20, the shaft 29 being rotatably mounted in a bearing or bracket 30 secured as by screws 31 to the frame section The squared ends 2%, 265 of the control. bar 25 and the cooperating squared recesses 23, 27 form a universal or flexible connection between the shafts 20 and 29. Communicating With the squared opening 2.7 and extending forwardly within the shaft 29 is a recess 32 in which a. coiled spring 33 is disposed. The spring 33 reacts between the shaft 29 and the adjacent end of the control bar 25 and consequently maintains the parts 29, 25, and 22 in operative relation. As clearly shown in Fig. 3 the control bar 25 extends through a chamber formed within the frame section 5; In accordance with this illustrative embodiment of the invention the shaft 29 is pio vided with a for vardly projecting reduced portion 35which has keyed thereto at 36 and slidable axially thereon an operating handle 37. The controller handle 37 is arranged at the opposite side of the machine from. the feed control handle 12. The hub portion of the handle 37 is provided on its periphery with a longitudinally extending slot 38 whose opposite ends open into oppositely circumferentially extending peripheral slots 39 and 40. A depending portion or lug all preferably formed integral with the hearing member 30extends into the groove made up by the slots 38 39 and 4.9 and when this lug 4:1 is in theposition shown in Fig. 6 the handle 37 may be rotated in only one direction, but when the: handle 37 is slid outwardly to. the position shown in Fig. 3 the handle 37 may be; rotated in only the opposite direct-ioln t will herein be observed that; the. shaft 29 is provided with a fiattened 01 out. Way portion 42 which is engaged whenin a predetermined position by a plunger or locking pin d3 slidably mounted at in a connector plug casing 45 secured to the machine frame. The locking pin 4.3 is normally resiliently maintained in engagement with the shaft 29 by means of a coiled spring to acting between the plug casing 45 and a washer 47 pinned to the plunger. Also formed in the plug casing 45 is a horizontally disposed bore 18 extending longitudinally of the machine frame and receivable in this bore is a detachable power supply connector plug 49 to which a conductor cable 50 is suitably connected. The conductor plug is of well known form and need not be specifically described herein. As clearly shown in Fig. 4; the cylindrical casing 51 of the connector plug 49 has formed therein a recess 52 adapted to receive the inner end of the locking pin 43 as will later be described.

As heretofore described the lug etl may project within the longitudinal slot 325 formed within the controller handle 37 and when such relation exists the controller drum is disposed in its inoperative or neutral position. At this time the flattened surface 42 on the shaft 29 is in a position to receive the locking pin 43, the spring 46 maintaining the pin therein and released from the locking aperture 52 in the connector plug 49. It is obvious that the connector plug 19 can be removed longitudinally from the bore 18 at that time. If it is desired to rotate the controller drum in one direction or the other the operator must grasp the handle 37 and slide the same longitudinally either inwardly or outwardly along the shaft 29 until the lug a1 is disposed in alinen'ient with one or the other of the circumferentially extending slots 39 and all). The controller handle 37 can thus be rotated and upon rotation thereof the flattened surface 42 acts as a cam and forces the locking pin 43 therefrom and into on gagement with the locking recess in the connector plug. thereby locking the latter against removal. until. the controller handle is again brought into its neutral or inoperative position. It will also be observed that if the controller is rotated into operative position while the connector plug 49 is removed. the locking pin l3 prevents the insertion of the plug within the bore 4.8 until the controller drum is again returned to its neutral or inoperative position.

As a result of this inventi-rui it will herein be noted that an improved controlling apparatus for a mining machine is provided having improved interlocking means between the power supply connector plug and the controller drum wherein the latter must he in its neutral. or inoperative position prior to the removal of the connector plug and wherein the supply connector plug is locked in position during operation of the coin troller. consequently preventing arcing and lit! lSll

resultant disastrous explosions due to inad vertent release of the plug while the controller is on. These and other advantages of. this invention will be clearly apparent to those skilled in this art.

lVhile I have in this application specifically described one form which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit on the scope of the appended claims.

hat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an electric controlling mechanism,

a controller including a shaft movable in opposite directions from a given position to produce different circuits, and means including a grasping handle mounted on said shaft for moving said controller, said handle being adjustable relative to said shaft to selectively control the direction in which said controller may be moved from said position.

2. In an electric controlling mechanism, a controller including a shaft movable in opposite directions from a given position to produce different circuits, and means including a rotatable handle slidably mounted on said shaft for moving said controller, said handle being slidable relative to said shaft to selectively control the direction in which said controller may be moved from said position.

3. In an electric controlling mechanism, a controller including a rotatable shaft adapted on rotation in opposite directions from a given position to produce different circuits, and means including an operating handle for rotating said shaft and reciprocable rectilinearly thereon for selectively controlling the direction in which said shaft may be ro fated from said position.

4;. In an electric controlling mechanism, a controller including a shaft mounted only for rotation on a fixed axis and adapted on rotation in opposite directions from a given position to produce different circuits, and means including a grasping handle on said shaft reciprocable coaxially with and relative to said shaft for selectively controlling the direction in which said shaft may be rofated from said position.

In an electric controlling mechanism, a controller including a rotatable shaft fixed against longitudinal movement and adapted on rotation in opposite directions from a given position to produce different circuits and means including a rotatable grasping handle reciprocable rectilinearly in a line parallel to a line parallel to said shaft for selectively controlling the direction in which said shaft may be roted from 'said position.

6. In an electric controlling mechanism, a

controller including a rotatable shaft fixed against longitudinal movement and. adapted on rotation in opposite directions from a given position to produce different circuits, means including a grasping handle rotatable with said shaft and having a plurality of longitudinally offset oppositely extending peripheral grooves, and a stationary element engaging in said grooves for controlling the direction in which said grasping handle may be rotated from said position.

7. In an electric controlling mechanism, a controller including a shaft mounted only for rotation on a fixed axis and adapted on rotation in opposite directions from a given position to produce different circuits, means including a grasping handle rotatable with said rotatable shaft and reciprocable relative thereto longitudinally thereof, and a stationary abutment member for controlling the direction in which said grasping handle may be rotated from said position.

8. In an electric controlling mechanism, a rotatable member, means for controlling the direction of rotation of said member including an operating handle member rotatable therewith and having a pair of spaced oppositely extending grooves therein connected by a groove extending longitudinally of said handle, and a member extending into said groove, one of said members being movable relative to the other to control the direction of rotation of said first mentioned member.

9. In an electric controlling mechanism, a rotatable member, means for controlling the direction of rotation of said member in cluding a grasping handle member rotatable therewith and having a pair of spaced oppositely extending grooves therein connected by a groove extending longitudinally of said handle, and a member extending into said groove, said handle member being movable oppositely longitudinally to effect control of the movement of said first mentioned member.

10. In an electric controlling mechanism, a controller including an operating shaft, ahandle mounted thereon, said handle being slidable longitudinally on said shaft, means cooperating therewith on slidable movement for selectively controlling the direction in which said shaft may be rotated, said shaft having a cam surface thereon, a connector plug, and means including a slidable locking member cooperating with said cam surface for interlocking said controller with said plug.

11. In an electric controlling mechanism, a controller rotatable in opposite directions from a given position to produce different circuits, operating means for said controller including parallel shafts and an angularly disposed control bar connecting said shafts, and means including an operating handle for said controller reciprocable rectilinearly upon one of said shafts for selectively con trolling the direction in which said control ler may be rotated.

12. In an electric controlling mechanism, a controller rotatable in opposite directions from the given position to produce difierentcircuits, operating means for said controller comprising parallel sha ts each having a squared recess therein, an angularly disposed control bar having squared ends re ceivable in said recesses for connecting said shafts, and means including an operating handle for said. controller reci 'irocable rectilinearly upon one of said shafts for selectively controlling the direction in which said controller may be rotated.

13. In an electric controlling mechanism, a controller rotatable in opposite directions from a given position to produce different circuits, operating means therefor including parallel shafts, an angularlv disposed control bar connecting said shafts, a handle slidably mounted on one of said shafts, means cooperating with said handle for selectively controlling the direction in which said controller may be rotated, a connector plug, and means cooperating with one of said shafts for interlocking said connector plug with said controller.

14. In an electric controlling mechanism, a controller rotatable in opposite directions from a given position to produce different circuits, operating means therefor comprising parallel shafts each having a squared recess, an angularly disposed control bar having squared ends receivable in said recesscs for connecting said shafts, an operat ing handle slidably mounted on one of said shafts, means cooperating with said handle for selectively controlling the direction in which said controller may be rotated, a connector plug, and means cooperating with one of said shafts for interlocking said counector plug with said controller.

15. In combination with a reversible controller for a reversible motor, an operating shaft for said controller, a handle slidably and non-rotatively mounted thereon, and a stationary member cooperating with said handle to prevent reversal of said controller until said handle has been slidably moved on said shaft a predetermined amount in neutral position.

16. In combination with a reversible eontrolle' tor a reversible motor, an operating shaft for said controller, a handle slidably and non-rotatively mounted thereon, a sta tionary member coi'iperating with. said handle to prevent reversal. of said controller until said handle has been slidably moved on said shaft a predetermined amount in new tral position, a connector plug through which current is supplied to said controller, and mechanical interlocking means between said shaft and plug preventing withdrawal or insertion of said plug when the controller is in any of its on positions.

In testimony whereof I alfix my signature.

CHARLES W. WYMAN.

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